The Ugly American Goes To Auschwitz
That would be our vice president, representing the United States of America, at a rather solemn, formal occasion, in an olive-drab parka, hiking boots, and a knit ski cap:
Other leaders at the event in Poland on Thursday marking the 60th anniversary of the death camp's liberation, such as French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin, wore dark, formal overcoats and dress shoes or boots."The vice president, however, was dressed in the kind of attire one typically wears to operate a snow blower," Robin Givhan, The Washington Post's fashion writer, wrote in the newspaper's Friday editions.
Between the somber, dark-coated leaders at the outdoor ceremony sat Cheney, resplendent in a green parka embroidered with his name and featuring a fur-trimmed hood, the laced brown boots and a knit ski cap reading "Staff 2001."
"And, indeed, the vice president looked like an awkward boy amid the well-dressed adults," Givhan wrote.
Britain's Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph newspapers also both noted that Cheney had opted for casual attire.
The Post's Givhan said Cheney might have been hoping to avoid the cold weather in Oswiecim, but noted he had worn a dark overcoat and no hat at all at another recent winter occasion -- his own swearing-in ceremony on Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 in snow-dusted Washington.
"The vice president might have been warm in his parka, ski cap and hiking boots," Givhan said. "But they had the unfortunate effect of suggesting he was more concerned with his own comfort than the reason for braving the cold at all."
We're always bashing the worst-dressed women. It's nice to see a guy get hammered for his poor taste in clothes for a change. Of course, comparing him to Chirac will be interpreted by many Americans as a form of cultural elitism, and Cheney will become someone with a down-to-earth fashion sense in their eyes.
Lena at February 7, 2005 5:57 PM
I thought this was a bunch of crap when I first read about it. The point isn't what he wore (which was in no way disrespectful), but the point is that he was there. This was a solemn ceremony to commemorate the liberation of one of the worst places in the world, and those who try to turn it into a fashion ceremony statement are the ones showing disrespect to the memory of the holocaust.
It was guys dressed in boots and parkas that liberated the place.
PS- I visited Auschwitz back in 1991, and the feeling of death and overwhelming spiritual agony remains overwhelming. The Coloseum in Rome has that same ghostly aura.
eric at February 7, 2005 6:27 PM
For Cheney to appear in a military parka was disrespectful - to the soldiers who liberated the place. [As you may recall, Dick had 'had other priorities in the '60s other than military service'. "Other priorities", not an objection to our presence in Viet Nam.]
His involvement with the military has been restricted to sending other people's children off to die; his attempt to link himself via imagery to the heroes of WWII is no more than a cheap attempt to exploit a photo-op.
Kait Williams at February 7, 2005 9:04 PM
I don't think he was in a military parka. I don't think he was trying to create a military illusion like Dubya did on the carrier. (Hey- did anyone else see that photo of Cheney and his "old man balls" a few months ago?) He is just an old guy with a bad ticker trying to stay warm.
I am not trying to defend this guy- I just would rather he be castigated for something he does rather than his fashion sense.
eric at February 7, 2005 9:45 PM
The spin they put on this was that it he was dressed for the weather. Interestingly enough, he didn't wear this to his inauguration.
Goddyss at February 7, 2005 10:45 PM
Given his freedom to engage in secret government contracts with his friends and defy taboos that would get a Surgeon General fired (Jocelyn Elders), Cheney doesn't feel the need to put on a show of respect unless it pleases him.
Let's hope he didn't "recommend masturbation" to Chirac the way he did to Leahy. As you know, Chirac opened the WEF with a suggestion similar to the "Tobin Tax" that was championed by Ron Wyden 5 years ago.
It would tax currency speculation at a very small rate: but that would be enough to help level the playing field for less-development countries forced to trade on equal terms with the wealthiest nations.
This idea strikes at everything the Cheney stands for. Perhaps he actually was operating his snow blower when he condescended to fly in at the last moment to make a "required" appearance for the US at an event he would rather not have attended.
If you're wondering what masturbation I'm talking about, the URL follows:
http://electromagnet.us/dogspot/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=151
My cousin Anka probably understands this, but those people (my alledged family) won't even talk to me: I've actually produced most of DOGSPOT while homeless do to the wonderful support of right-wing activists.
Like Leahey, the thing Republicans most hate is when knows and understands what they are about and dares to question their politics.
-dave
by the way Amy, your posts on Brett Bursey really helped get me fired up about my alternative news site - which has managed to thrive in spite of my other problems. ribbit ribbit
David Roknich at February 10, 2005 4:47 AM
there are some words missing in my old comment above and it doesn't make sense - not even to me -
but it gave me a chuckle, and the story linked above actually makes sense even though it's a story on a website named DOGSPOT (I couldn't find the spot remover, the story is still there).
btw, I'm warm and safe at home, and have gained tremendous respect for those who have been driven to homelessness by the ferocious economics of the dog eating Bush adminstration - like a former vietnam vet I know learned - "good doggy" takes on a different meaning during wartime.
-dave
dave at March 23, 2006 8:07 PM
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